Meralgia paresthetica is a disorder that causes tingling sensation and numbness in the thigh. It is actually caused by nerve compression that cuts-off the sensation to the area of the thigh region. It can occur due to obesity or wearing tight clothing or due to local injury and even during pregnancy. This condition can be treated using conservative methods and in severe cases by medications. The other name for meralgia paresthetica is femoral (cutaneous) nerve syndrome.
Symptoms :
This condition can cause tingling sensation or sudden numbness on the outer part of the thigh region. For some people it is felt as burning pain on the skin surface of the thigh portion. The symptoms are mild to moderate and it may increase when the person is standing or walking.
Causes :
Meralgia paresthetica is caused by increased pressure on the thigh region due to obesity, enlargement of belly, or by pregnancy. Sudden tingling occurs when the femoral cutaneous nerve gets compressed due to excess of pressure. This nerve is actually a sensory nerve that passes through the groin but during such condition the nerve gets trapped or compressed causing burning pain on the thigh. Often, the nerve gets trapped in the groin under the inguinal ligament from the abdomen to the upper thigh portion.
Wearing a tight belt, tight clothing, and tight pants is the common cause for this condition. The same feeling or numbness also occurs for some pregnant women when the increasing belly exerts pressure on the groin. Meralgia paresthetica also occurs when the tissue of the inguinal ligament gets scarred due to sudden injury. In some cases prolonged diabetes and motorcar accident (if the seat belt gets pressed to the body) can also cause meralgia paresthetica.
Who are at risk?